Welcome to the World Bank Group Archives Oral History website.
The interviews recorded by the World Bank Group Archives’ Oral History Program present a powerful picture of the World Bank Group from its post-Bretton Woods beginnings to the present day. Its history, its evolution, and its staff are all vividly portrayed in these transcripts. The program, which began in 1961, was restarted in 1981, and has continued from 1990 to the present day, in four distinct phases. These Bank oral history interviews are supplemented by interviews conducted for three separate projects: a history of Bank President George Woods; the 50th anniversary history of the Bank; and a history of the Staff Association. Some persons were interviewed for more than one project.
These interview transcripts serve as learning and knowledge tools for Bank staff, its partners, clients and researchers who are interested in learning more about the Bank’s development practices and policies.
We invite you to explore our site.
- Browse interview transcripts by country, President tenure, collection, and by interviewee’s last name.
- Search all full length interview transcripts, notes and audio clips.
Access and Restrictions
Detailed information regarding access is available in the Access and Restrictions section for each individual transcript.
The opinions, findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in these oral histories do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank Group, its Executive Directors or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the information included in this work.
